Question

when electricity is passed through an aquous solution of sodium chloride,three products obtained.why is the process called chlor-alkali?

Answer 1

Answer :-

The three products are :-

$NaOH \\ H_2 \\ Cl_2$

Because of the products obtained :-

Chlor for chlorine gas , and alkali for Sodium hydroxide.

When electricity is passed through brine solution it get decomposed in to following products →Sodium hydroxide, hydrogen gas and chlorine gas.

→hydrogen gas is obtained at cathode.

→Chlorine gas is obtained at anode.

This process is also known as Chlor - Alkali process because of the following products obtained :-

• Chlorine gas which is important reagents used in chemical industry. Chlor for chlorine gas.

• Alkali is given as name because of the NaOH which is an alkali.

So, this process is also known as chlor- alkali process.

The reaction can be written as :-

$NaCl + H_2O + hv \rightarrow NaOH + Cl_2\uparrow + H_2 \uparrow$